St. Anton Takes Steps to Stop Drunken Behaviour

The Austrian ski resort of St Anton am Arlberg, widely recognised as the apres-ski capital of the Alps, is taking steps to curb drunken behaviour by stopping people drinking in their ski gear after 8 p.m.

After a day on the mountain, young skiers and riders head to St. Anton's famous slopeside bars, like the Mooserwirt and the Krazy Kanguruh, for shots of Jagermeister and dancing (well, stompting really) on tables in ski boots. The slopeside bars close at 8 p.m. so skiers then bring the party down the mountain. The tourist office believes that this drunken behaviour in St. Anton's centre is alienating some of its other guests.

The resort has decided to implement a voluntary policy of asking people to return to their hotels to change out of ski gear from 8 p.m. Wilma Himmelfeundpointer from TVB St Anton says this voluntary measure is largely being accepted without complaint and is hoped will bring peace to the village.

There are no signs up banning people drinking in ski gear, but all bar owners have agreed to politely ask customers to go change out of their ski gear before they continue partying at 8 p.m. Representatives from tour operators were also informed in advance of the new measure and probably contributed to the acceptance of this new policy.